Families travel an average of 79 miles to be with their seriously ill child in hospital.
Now, an iconic song has been reimagined to tell their story.
Featuring Pixie Lott and real Ronald McDonald House families from Ireland and the UK, I’m Gonna Be (79 Miles) shines a light on the journeys families make every single day just to stay close when it matters most.
Nearly 40 years after I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) first became a global anthem, it has been re-recorded as I’m Gonna Be (79 Miles) to reflect the average distance families travel to be with their child in hospital.
Created with the support of The Proclaimers and recorded by Pixie Lott alongside families supported by Ronald McDonald House, the song captures the emotional and physical journeys families face every day.
Every stream, download and share helps raise awareness and vital funds to support families with children in hospital.
The voices in this campaign belong to real families who faced long journeys, hospital stays and impossible moments, while trying to stay together.
One of those families is the Walls from Co. Cavan.
When Lisa and Seán Wall welcomed their daughter Tilly in January 2022, their world changed instantly.
Born prematurely at Cavan General Hospital, Tilly was transferred to Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin after struggling to breathe. Doctors discovered she had Pierre Robin Sequence, a rare condition affecting her airway.
What followed was seven months in hospital, multiple surgeries and countless uncertain days.
During that time, Lisa and Seán stayed in Ronald McDonald House for 227 nights so they could remain close to Tilly while still caring for their young son Harry.
“If Ronald McDonald House hadn’t been there, we would have had to make impossible choices – leaving jobs or taking Harry out of school. It keeps families together.”
The House became more than accommodation.
It became somewhere to breathe, regroup and stay together through it all.
Today, Tilly continues to amaze everyone around her with her strength.
Inspired by the song and the journeys families make every day, we’re inviting people across Ireland to complete 79 miles their own way.
Walk it. Run it. Cycle it. Swim it. Wheel it.
Do it in a weekend or over a few months. Solo or together.
Every mile helps support families staying close to their child in hospital.
Ronald McDonald House Ireland provides free accommodation and support to families with children in hospital.
Located just 225 steps from Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, the House helps families stay close during some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Since opening, more than 5,400 families in Ireland have stayed at Ronald McDonald House.
Because when a child is seriously ill, families shouldn’t have to face distance too.
They should be together.
Stream the song. Share the message. Take on the challenge.
Help families stay close.
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